Even on vacation,it’s hard for the governor not to exercise executive privilege, it seems.
I picked up that vibe from Gov. Cuomo this afternoon as we talked by phone and he watched his daughter make a sandwich.
Amid our discussions about Albany deal-making and the performance of Lieutenant Gov. Duffy, Cuomo threw a few lighthearted jabs at his teenaged daughter who was making a sandwich nearby in their kitchen. He noted that he’d never seen anyone make a sandwich with ‘so many utensils.” His daughter apparently gave him the buzz-off look that most fathers who have had teenaged daughters know well.
Cuomo chuckled.
Given Cuomo’s successes over the past year, I think there’ been a lot of chuckling in his household over the holidays.

In a phone conversation with Gov Cuomo this afternoon, it became even more obvious that he and Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy are a real team.
Both sang praises of the other.
After a discussion about his first year in office, Cuomo went out of his way to say that Duffy has been a “full partner” in efforts to turnaround state government. Cuomo reminded me that he stood by his promise of last November that Duffy would be of more value to Rochester in Albany than as mayor. “He’s already doing more good for Rochester by helping turnaround the state.”
Meantime, earlier today, Duffy also spoke highly of his boss. In town for the holiday, Duffy talked about how much he’s already learned in just 12 months and the progress that’s been made. “Albany is working. The governor is making it work. He’s finding common ground. He’s providing lessons for others around the state on the value of teamwork and respect for one another. He’s brought back collegiality and professionalism.”

Both Cuomo and Duffy assured me that they’d soon meet with the Editorial Board to discuss in greater detail the past year and the year ahead.
Also look for the Editorial Board’s assessment of Cuomo’s first year online and in print on Monday.

Friday’s swearing in of Sandra Doorley as Monroe County’s first female district attorney was “a historic day” for the community, declared former District Attorney Howard Relin to a crowd of some 300 at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester.

But it was a bittersweet day for outgoing DA Mike Green, Relin added. Green declined to seek reelection after being nominated by President Obama for a federal judgeship. But the Senate blocked his nomination. Relin expounds on his displeasure at the lack of an up-or-down Senate vote for Green in a Democrat and Chronicle essay on Monday.

Green, too, said his departure from the DA’s office was not how he would have planned it. Still, “as much as it is bittersweet,” he said, “it has given me the opportunity to look around and see other opportunities.”

Doorley spoke at length following her swearing-in. She related how, when she was first hired to work in the DA’s office 20 years ago, her proud mother would refer to her as the district attorney. Upon being “gently correcected,” her mother, who has since died, would tell her, “maybe some day.” For Doorley, that day is today, and she acknowleged her parents were with her in spirit.

She also said she will unveil her vision for the office in the coming weeks, saying it will include a new trial division.

I’m a regular reader of Peggy Noonan’s columns in the Wall Street Journal on Saturdays, and last weekend, the ending of her column really resonated with me. She begins by writing: “We are at a point in our culture when we actually have to pull for grown-up movies, when we must try to encourage them and laud them when they come by today…John Ford would be forced to turn John Wayne into a 30-something failure-to-launch hipster whose big moment is missing the toilet in the vomit scene in Hangover Ten. Our movie culture has descended into immaturity, deep and inhuman violence, a pervasive and flattened sexuality. It is an embarrassment.”

Noonan goes on to share an anecdote about an Iraqi soldier who told her last year that through his dealings on an American base he had learned this about Americans: “You are a better people than your movies says.”

Amen to that. I’m very choosy about the handful of movies I see in a theater each year, because I don’t have a lot of free time and because I’m just not interested in a lot of what’s showing. A recent grown-up movie that I saw, while on vacation, was J. Edgar. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent as the iconic head of the FBI, of whom I didn’t know much. It’s an excellent movie, but it’s too bad it won’t be seen by many teens and young adults, because most wouldn’t have the patience or interest to sit through a movie where there isn’t a lot of action, and you have to pay attention to the nuances, you have to draw your own conclusions about Hoover’s character.

Our music is another export that no doubt paints the wrong image of who most Americans really are. Too much of what young people listen to still involves violence and warped ideas about relationships between men and women.

I celebrate the freedom we have in this country to make movies and music that I don’t think advance our culture. I just wish fewer Americans found them so enticing.

Mayor Tom Richard isn’t supporting mayoral control of city schools— at least anytime soon.
Richard makes that clear in an essay that will appear on tomorrow’s Editorial Page.
In his words: “As much as I would like to change the structure that governs the relationship of the city and school district, I do not want to do so at the risk of endangering the already fragile district or significantly diverting our attention from the need to make steady improvement.”
Richards says his preference is to focus on improving academic performance and “the reforms that requires.”

The mayor also threw in this closing line: “It is time for all of us adults who share responsibility for educating our children to prove that we can rise above a very imperfect system and make steady progress in their interest.”

There’s talk that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman might be on the fast track to the governor’s mansion. Which is surprising because a) the current resident, Andrew Cuomo, has three years left in his first term, and b) Schneiderman himself is only a year into his new job.

But the attorney general’s office is evidently the new launching pad to the state’s top post. Cuomo used it as a platform to the governship last year, and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer did likewise back in 2006.

Other than that, however, New York’s recent gubernatorial roll call is not replete with onetime attorneys general. You have to go back to Thomas Dewey to come even close; he was a federal prosecutor, then Manhattan’s district attorney. Hugh Carey was a congressman before landing in Albany. Averill Harriman was in Harry Truman’s Cabinet. George Pataki was a state senator. And Nelson Rockefeller served briefly in the administrations of Dwight Eisenhower and, almost a decade earlier, Franklin Roosevelt (himself a former New York governor who served previously in a presidential administration).

Another dependable ticket to the governor’s chair has been via the lieutenant governor’s post. David Paterson and Malcolm Wilson were both elevated to the office to fill vacancies; Mario Cuomo ran successfully after serving as lieutenant governor.

So should Andrew Cuomo turn his political aspirtations elsewhere, recent history tells us the potentially best-positioned candidate would indeed be Schneiderman, followed, theoretically at least, by the current lieutenant governor, former Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy.

As a registered Republican woman, it is ironic that I look back on 2011 with disdain for the only Republican woman in the area and a great deal of respect for the accomplishments of the Democratic men. Contrast Andrew Cuomo’s and Tom Richard’s leadership in fiscal policies with the foibles of Maggie Brooks’ poor judgment and mismanagement and it’s hard to tell which party stands for protecting the tax payers’ money and which group plays fast and loose with the cash.

When I look back on the governor’s on-time State budget eliminating a $10 billion deficit, capping spending on education and Medicaid, the property tax cap and the Economic Development Councils, it gives me a sense that we are making progress. Whatever you call him, whether Democrat or Republican, he is demonstrating real leadership in controlling a state whose finances have been out of control for years.

Similarly, Tom Richards has infused new confidence in the financial management in the city. His policies have cemented a commitment by the CEO of Windstream to be the anchor tenant at Midtown, supported College Town and Brooks Landing projects at U of R, brought retailers to the Public Market area and ensured the biggest public works project in decades: the $325M for the School Modernization project.

And how has Maggie managed the tax payers’ money? Her Airport Director spent almost $20 thousand of our money on cigars, strippers and booze, county employees worked on private citizens’ projects in the Robutrad scandal, the IT services bid was awarded under questionable circumstances, lining the pockets of a favored few to the tune of over $5M of our money, and then to top off the year, the Sheriff gets a double digit raise slammed into the final minutes of a County Legislature session without any discussion. And it was under this Sheriff’s watch, just a few short months ago, we had one of the most notorious jail breaks in recent history!

If you didn’t know better, you would have said this sounds like the political machines of Tammany Hall or Cook County, Illinois in their worst days. If this is the kind of home cooking we get from a Republican woman, give me more of what the Democratic men will serve up in 2012.

So Assemblyman David Gantt says he’s going to reintroduce legislation in the state Assembly to allow the mayor of Rochester to take control of city schools, as reported by the D&C’s Tiffany Lankes. No reason for either side of the debate to get excited at this point.

That’s because the legislation won’t go any where in the Senate until Joe Robach and Jim Alessi give it a blessing. I don’t foresee that happening unless Alessi and Robach have an epiphany the way Alessi did about gay marriage. And Mayor Tom Richards hasn’t indicated he’s eager to take over the district; in previous conversations with the editorial board he’s talked about how unstable the school system is right now (given that Bolgen Vargas is an interim superintendent) and now is not the time to introduce more instability.

And who can blame Richards? He’s got his hands full running the city. Plus, there are efforts like Strive, being led by MCC’s Anne Kress, and the possibility of federal funds for a Promise Neighborhood (kind of like a Children’s Zone) that could lead to good things. There’s no magic bullet to raise the graduation rates. We’re talking about a marathon, not a sprint.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my son’s school and how pleased I am with the opportunities he’s been getting to enhance his education through various enrichment programs.

Now, it seems, those opportunities are at risk, Given that his sister is three years behind him in school, I suddenly find myself very worried about my children’s education.

As you may have read here, the Brockport Central School District may be insolvent in three years. There are multiple causes for the problems it faces, including the tax cap and cuts in state aid. Over the past couple of years, Brockport has lost over 15% of its state aid. As the Democrat and Chronicle pointed out, ”Under state aid cuts enacted by Govs. David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo, Brockport has lost $2,218 per student…. That’s more than $55,000 per classroom of 25 students.”

Compounding the problem for Brockport is the fact that it is the poorest suburban school district in Monroe County, and with low property values in the district, the tax cap may result in an inability to raise the funds necessary to continue offering all of the programs it currently offers. This is a problem that Brockport shares with many poor districts around the state.

This is more than just worrying; it is a gross injustice that jeopardizes the futures of all the children in the district. Like many parents I know, I’ll be writing letters to the governor and the local delegation in Albany demanding that they address this issue.

I’ll also be monitoring the impact of the budget problems the district faces. If the cuts that I fear will happen, happen, my wife and I may find ourselves packing up and moving to a more prosperous district so that our kids can get the education that they deserve. Fortunately for us, we’d be able to afford it.

Unfortunately, many families in the Brockport district wouldn’t be able to afford to move, and don’t their kids deserve the best education possible, too?

This morning I attended Christmas services, as I have for the last 30 plus years, at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY. There were about 40 in attendance that joined with the 30 resident Trappist Monks. The Mass is Catholic, accentuated by the Monks chanting Psalms, and is remarkable for its solemnity delivered in an austere and tranquil environment. The Abbey was founded in the 1950’s and the Monks, most of whom observe a vow of silence, farm and sell Monks Bread as a means of self-reliance. Yes, Monks make and sell Monks Bread, the origin of that is a great story. This congregation formed when Monks came from Gethsemane Abbey, near Louisville, Kentucky, as a result of a gift of a tract of land from a Geneseo family. The Cistercian Order of Strictest Observation was founded in the 1600’s in the Trappist Abbey located in the Normandy region of France, which is why they are commonly referred to as Trappist.

The former Abbott, John Eudes Bamberger, who held the position for 40 years, was a friend of Thomas Merton, a Trappist Monk and leading theological writer of the 20th Century. Prior to becoming a Monk, Merton was a journalist with the New Yorker magazine in NYC where in 1942 he was assigned to write a story on the Gethsemane Trappist, the rest is history. Merton authored over 70 books on faith, social justice, interfaith understanding, and more, before his accidental death in Thailand at 53, on December 10th, 1968. In 1948 he published his autobiography,The Seven Story Mountain, which was the best selling book of that year and the New York Times refused to put it on the best selling list due to a policy of excluding any books with religious overtones. It is a fascinating story and a wonderful read. Former Abbott Bamberger lives in a hermitage on the property and is also a prolific writer, his writings are available online.

There is a small store in the Abbey where you can purchase products produced at the other 17 Abbeys around the US and South America. As we left the Monastery this morning, I thought again about how the simple life chosen by the Monks stood in stark contrast to the over active life of the average American family. I have taken many people, of all faiths, to the Abbey for a visit, and to pick up a few things. If you can, make the trip, I think you will be glad you did.

I’m not really into watching Barbara Walters’ celebrity interviews, but a PR email alerted me that for those looking for a saccharine portrait of the Obamas, they can tune into ABC at 10 p.m. on Friday night. (And no, the press release didn’t call it saccharine, I did.)

The email included a link to a sneak peak of answers. I love the fact that Walters included a variation of her famous question, “If you could be a tree, what kind of tree would you be?”

This time around though she asked the First Couple if they died and could come back as a person or thing, who, what would it be? Here’s Michelle’s answer: “I would want to be Bo. He’s got a great life. He’s got it good. Not a dog. But Bo.”

The President, unfortunately, took the dull road and wouldn’t answer. Now here’s where he could have had some fun. He complains earlier in the interview that the press has painted him as emotionless, Spock-like. Why not come back as Kobe Bryant? We know Obama likes to play basketball. Or how about coming back as potty-mouth Chris Rock? That would debunk the image that he’s uptight. Or maybe smooth, handsome actor Will Smith? That would prove he has an emotional side.

Who or what do you think Obama should aspire to come back as? Let me know.

Just got off the phone with my new best friend. Rosa is her name. She lives in Penfield . She’s an avid D&C reader and she’s 77.
“Is this James Lawrence?” she began the conversation. “I just want you to know that I think the story about the man taking the deer to the hospital was the best Christmas story in the paper today.”
Truth be told, I hadn’t read the story but the headline did get my attention as I did my usual early morning scouting: “Man driving deer to Unity charged.” When I saw that headline I chuckled and moved on in my search for possible editorial fodder.
Yes, the man was charged with driving while intoxicated, and that’s not anything to chuckle about. But Rosa , and no doubt more than a few others, still think that he “deserves a medal” for what he tried to do.
And in doing so, little did he know that he was spreading Christmas cheer to people who needed to crack a smile amid the pressures that, unfortunately, all to often come with Christmas.

Yani Tseng got some well-deserved recognition today by winning Female Athlete of the Year from the U.S. Sports Academy, in conjunction with USA Today and NBC Sports.

Yesterday, Tseng came in a measily fourth place in the voting for the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. Believe me, I have no problem with Abby Wambach winning first place. She came through in clutch situations in World Cup matches, and she’s an outstanding athlete. And I’m glad my Democrat and Chronicle colleagues Steve Bradley and Bob Matthews voted for her.

But I’m bothered that Tseng didn’t come in second. It just reinforces the problem with women’s professional golf in the U.S. It doesn’t get any respect and it doesn’t get good coverage on TV, and without that, a sport is sunk.

Tseng at age 22 is better than Tiger Woods was at that age. She has won five majors, including the 2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship; Tiger Woods was 24 when he won his fourth. She’s won four out of the last five majors in women’s golf, and she won the British Open for the second year in a row.

If Tseng were an American, would she have had a better chance of getting more votes? It does make me wonder. I’m not the first to suggest that the prevalence of Asian women winning on the LPGA tour has hurt its popularity. Yet if you look at the Rolex rankings (based one earnings), 11 women are from Asia and seven are U.S. (including Michelle Wie), which debunks the myth that the Asians are always winning.

The LPGA needs to take a page out of women’s soccer. How did they get the game to grow in popularity with little girls? Follow that path, and it could lead to more popularity for women’s golf.

As we bring a very turbulent 2011 to a close, I find myself still asking what is happening to our fair City.

We now have a demolished Midtown Center that will be a pending “shovel ready” mess for the next couple of years.

We recently moved the Trailways Bus Terminal (originally slated as apart of the Renaissance Center project) from a temporary structure into a long term temporary structure, with plans to move within five years into yet another structure all at the City’s expense.

Our Mayor is currently engaged in a heavy weight fight to keep MCC in the Sibley’s Building and nobody is the ring but him. His logic being that it should stay Downtown, even though the High Falls area has been defined as Downtown for years.

Last night, looking forward to what’s to come in 2012, I watched the festivities on the news surrounding the lighting of the Menorah around the County. Yes, another thought came to mine.

Hearing City officials rationalize why having a Christmas tree located within City Hall and not having a Menorah raised my eyebrows. It appears to be the belief that by only displaying a Christmas tree allows City Hall to remain somewhat secular, opposed to appearing biased towards any particular religious celebration. Initially that logic made sense to me, especially since in keeping with tradition the City is currently displaying a large Menorah in Washington Square Park.

However, as I pondered further another conflicting question crossed my mind. Has anyone handled any business on Good Friday at City Hall lately?

I am just asking a few questions; and who did you say is in charge again?

I read with delight the article in this morning’s Democrat and Chronicle that Rowe Photo, Audio, and Video has come to the rescue of Scott’s Photo on East Ave. It’s a great Christmas story, a gift to the employees and customer’s of Scott’s Photo, and a gift to anyone who believes in the spirits of generosity and community.

Now, I know that Richard Rowe wouldn’t have stepped in to buy Scott’s Photo unless he felt that there was still a viable business there. I’m not so naive as to think that Rowe has no profit motive in mind, and I’ve got no problem with people profiting from their business ventures.

I also don’t think that Rowe is helplessly nostalgic in his desire to preserve a photography shop. Despite the migration away from printed photographs, many people still want to make prints. I know that I do, and I make use of Scott’s services for just that purpose.

There are still reasons to assemble photo albums, not least of which is that anyone who wants to pass family photos on to future generations ought to be printing and pasting instead of just uploading their images.

After all, what is the likelihood that websites like flickr will continue to be around in fifty years? Even if they are, what is the likelihood that flickr accounts will be passed down faithfully from generation to generation so that our great grandchildren will know where to look to see bits of family history?

(Full disclosure: My scholarly activities involve old photographs, so I may be a bit biased in my thoughts about the importance of printed photographs.)

My hunch is that Scott’s Photo will expand beyond its current business model, and will become more of photo-audio-video store like the other Rowe shops. That’s good. In fact, I’d be fine with the shop being overwhelming audio and video, just as long as they don’t fully abandon what has become (for now, anyway) a niche market.

Editorial Board

has, for the past 18 years as Editorial Page editor, been responsible for producing more than 5,100 daily Editorial and Speaking Out pages. He started his journalism career in Cleveland shortly after graduating from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Along the way, he has had career stops in Denver, Orlando, Fla., and White Plains. But unquestionably, he says, some of his most rewarding years as a journalist have been here in Rochester, being a part of positive change. That change has included reforms that followed an aggressive "Challenging Albany" campaign, greater public awareness and pushback against the coarsening of our culture, and strides being made to make this region a destination community.

I joined the Democrat and Chronicle in December 2011 as digital opinion editor, a position that combines traditional editorial responsibilities with the fostering and promotion of online conversation across a number of digital platforms and social media.

I bring to the position some 25 years of media experience in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region, having served as managing editor at Messenger Post Media, where I wrote columns, editorials and blogs, among an array of other newsroom duties.

I'm a lifelong New Yorker who has called Long Island, the North Country and, now, western New York home.

When I'm not in a newsroom or in front of a computer, I'm usually enjoying time with family or lost in a book.

became editor of community partnerships and niche content in November 2011, a position new to the Democrat and Chronicle. She is charged with increasing community engagement across all platforms, web and print. Sutter also has served as deputy editorial page editor, managing editor and general manager/custom content at the Democrat and Chronicle. She has worked as a reporter or editor for newspapers in Iowa, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina and Elmira, where she was executive editor of the Star-Gazette. She holds a master's degree in media management and a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

I have been with the Democrat and Chronicle since 2006, when I was hired as letters editor. In 2008, I shifted into the role of community conversation coordinator. Most of my time on the job is spent reading and editing the thousands of letters to the editor we receive each year. I love learning about a wide variety of subjects every day while fact-checking letters. Aside from editing the letters, I also monitor reader comments posted on our website, and write editorials, blog posts and tweets.

I am a lifelong reader of the D&C, so I’m particularly honored to lend my voice to the Editorial Board. As a registered conservative and strong advocate of free market economics, it is likely that I will bring an alternate view to the discussion, so I applaud the D&C for asking me aboard.

My passion about economics and politics first emanated from our family dinner-table discussions growing up in Brighton, where no topic was off limits. After graduating from Brighton High School and then from Middlebury College as an economics major, I started my career with Case Hoyt, a once nationally recognized printing company based in Rochester. I relocated to Philadelphia, Washington and then Boston to attend Harvard Business School before happily moving back home just as my wife and I were starting a family.

I have actively engaged in various volunteer leadership roles at the Wilmot Cancer, St. Thomas More Church and now Rochester Prep Charter School and the Kilian Schmitt Foundation.

Personally, my wife, Caroline, and I have three grown children who have all left the area for college as well as to start their work careers.

I have lived in Rochester, both in the city and the suburbs, for most of my life. I have a degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in religion and philosophy, and I currently work for the Volunteers of America as a case manager for families who receive the Shelter Plus Care housing grant.

I live in the town of Chili with my husband and my sons, Gavin and Troy. Spending time with them is my favorite thing to do. My husband, Scott, owns a small sales and marketing company.

I love Rochester and am actively involved in the community. I serve on several boards and committees, including the Chili Parks and Recreation Committee. Recently I accepted the role of president of the Monroe County Republican Women (a non party-funded organization). Lastly, I am the director of The Bridge, a developing nonprofit that promotes sustainable homeless outreach efforts and organizes bipartisan discussions on issues related to poverty.

I am passionate about seeking out lasting solutions to poverty and bridging the political and cultural gaps. Find me on Twitter (@annaiseman), Facebook, or in future D&C discussions.

Board of Contributors

I manage an educational project for RIT, and teach as an adjunct professor at Nazareth College and the Warner School of Education. In an earlier life, I directed a modern dance company and worked as a teaching artist in schools. I hold a PhD in education with a focus on arts, curriculum and teaching. My areas of interest are education, politics and the arts. I plan to share perspectives on the current changes taking place in the field of education, and have a special interest in political art. I hope to stimulate good discussions in these areas through blogging and guest interviews.

My name is Makenzie Marino and I'm a 16-year-old junior at Our Lady of Mercy High School. I've been writing since I was 7. Writing is my passion; it's the way I express myself and my creativity. As a member of the board I hope to educate people in Rochester on events going on in our area and also bring to people's attention topics that maybe they'd look over otherwise. Also, I hope to learn things myself and be educated by other board members, and by visitors that will be showing up to the meetings. I hope to bring forth positive energy and educate people around me.

I was born and raised in central New York. I earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport, and now gladly call the Flower City home. I’m a married mother of three young children who keep me on my toes. I write a Blog, From Playgrounds to Politics, which often focuses on hot-button topics as well as about parenting, education, current events, political punditry and entertainment news. I have blogged for the Democrat and Chronicle for several years, focusing local issues and public schools. Follow me on Twitter @Mango1531. As a Board of Contributors member, I hope to write in no-holds-barred style about social topics within our community.

I’m a transplanted New Englander, who has resided with my family in Rochester’s 19th Ward for over 20 years. I left a career in book publishing when I moved from the Boston area, and then got my master’s in education at Nazareth College. I have taught in local schools and am currently an adjunct teacher at The Strong’s National Museum of Play. I write fiction and memoir, volunteer in my neighborhood library, love to travel, coordinate an Exploring Post in health careers, and am a staunch advocate for children.

I retired as Rochester’s commissioner of Community Development in 2009. I’m the co-founder of Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School and serve as the volunteer CEO/chairman of the board. I also serve on five other boards. I was president and CEO of Ibero-American action League from 1993 to 2006. From 1987 to 1990, I owned and operated a Super Duper in the city, and worked briefly as a Spanish teacher. I have a bachelor of science degree in social service administration from SUNY Empire State College and a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport. I am the author of “Journey of Puerto Rican Jíbaro,” a memoir.

As a life-long resident of Rochester, I am honored and humbled to be selected for the Board of Contributors. It is my hope that through this forum, I will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue that will uplift, inspire and challenge others to contribute to the economic, social, emotional/mental and spiritual health needs of Monroe County’s neediest residents. It is disheartening to me that Rochester is one of the poorest cities in this nation. We all have a part in this universe to offer a hand up and not a hand out. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we are blessed to share three awesome children.

I work as a shipping and receiving clerk in Rochester. I look forward to being on the Board of Contributors and taking part in discussions of issues facing Rochester in 2014. I intend to add a pragmatic, moderate voice and concentrate on solutions and successes. Beyond the liberal/conservative gridlock there are pragmatic solutions upon which a majority can agree. The moderate majority is not as vocal as extremists to the left and right and this makes moderates easy to ignore. I look forward to being part of the Democrat and Chronicle's effort to contribute to the quality of life in this community.

I grew up in the Rochester area, attended PS35, graduated from Brighton High School, then attended SUNY College at Geneseo and the University of Chicago and earned his PhD at Northwestern University. A lifelong educator, child advocate and bestselling author of books and articles on leadership, collaboration, and education reform, I’ve been a middle school teacher, high school coach, school board member, college professor, dean of education at four universities, distinguished visiting scholar, community-based and regional nonprofit executive, education advisor to Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and associate superintendent of education for the State of Ohio. I currently am vice president for community programs at the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

As an active Community Member on the Democrat and Chronicle Editorial Board in 2013, and a division sales manager of a consumer company prior to that, I hope to stay involved with current events on the Board of Contributors, weighing in with my unique perspective on issues and headlines in 2014. A former United States Marine Corps Officer, and current retired "East Side Suburbanite," I feel that my "conservative-leaning" voice represents a part of the community that deserves to be heard.

I am a lay associate pastor at Spiritus Christi Church and a nurse of 28 years. In my role as associate pastor, I lead racial justice work, welcome new members and facilitate diversity within our ministeries. I am looking forward to being a board contributor so that I might engage in the conversations and topics this community most cares about to forge unity. It is my hope that, together, we join our visions and perspectives to examine what is, and lean in to shape ultimately what could be. If we do that I am hopeful that we will embody the "One City" Rochester mantra we all envision.

I am a third-year journalism and political science student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Being a native of Rochester has carved within me a passion for urban life and a desire to fully understand the complexity of the many issues Rochesterians face. I care most about education, youth, race and poverty, and have blogged for the Democrat and Chronicle’s Unite Rochester initiative. I am very excited to be offering my voice through the Board of Contributors and I hope to spark some great conversations with the rest of my community.